Holtur Stories

by Cameron Wayne Smith

  Contents

  TITLE

  COPYRIGHT

  FLIGHT OF FLAME

  THULMLET RESURRECTION

  SCRAMBLED GRAEKANS

  SORROW'S EMPOWERMENT

  DOGS OF THE LEVIATHAN

  TETHALAC VENGEANCE

  RELIGIOUS ULTRACREPIDARIAN

  A JUSTIFIED BITE

  BLUEFIRE MINE

  ESCAPE

  FLESH RIPENED

  AFTERWORD

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  HOLTUR STORIES

  By Cameron Wayne Smith

  Copyright © 2018 by Cameron Wayne Smith

  Cover design by Roman Grigorev

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be distributed, posted, or reproduced in any form by digital or mechanical means without prior written permission of the publisher.

  The Bristrunstium Monster Records, a full art companion bestiary of the creatures found in and around Holtur, is available online: here.

  FLIGHT OF FLAME

  Hot spring baths, massages, and other relaxing beauty treatments were perfect for most ladies. For Sonja on the other hand, they were plain boring. Sonja had been sent, with a group of distraught women, to Aestridge, a resort town built into a volcano. It was to help them get back to their true selves, or something along those lines. Sonja didn’t need to, she was only there to watch out for the others.

  She was walking through the cavernous, warm tubes looking for something to obliterate her boredom, but everything here catered to luxury. Sonja had just kicked a small chunk of grey, volcanic stone from the dusty path, when an enthusiastic man popped out from the shadows.

  “You look a little lost, madam,” the man said while stroking his thin, black mustache.

  “Not lost,” Sonja grunted. The man didn’t seem intimidating—not that many were to her—but she knew he must want something. “Just a little bored and taking a walk.”

  “Bored?” His eyes grew wide, and he fixed both hands on either side of his brown, leather frap hat. “I may be able to help with that.”

  “Right…” Sonja doubted him. She’d enjoy going for a drink or hunting, but this weirdo didn’t look like he’d be interested in such activities. “What have you got in mind?”

  “What I am thinking doesn’t suit women as well as the other facilities in Aestridge.” He revealed a big, toothy grin. A grin that she wanted to plant her fist into.

  “Women?” Sonja’s bright, blue eyes narrowed. One thing she hated was being categorised by her gender. She was tall, solid, strong, and more capable than a lot of men at ‘manly’ tasks after all.

  “But, you aren’t like other women, are you?” He turned away from her, and the tall man begun walking away in long strides.

  “Hmm…” Sonja bounded up to the man, treading alongside him. “Alright, what have you got in mind?”

  He chuckled to himself, then looked at Sonja. “How do you feel about joining a short wyvern piloting course?”

  Sonja’s eyes widened. She wasn’t too fond of wyverns, and if this guy knew how many she had killed in the past, was certain this offer wouldn’t stand. She couldn’t remember exactly how many she had slain! Definitely a lot. It was common knowledge that the folk living around the mountains of Altkruga controlled the flame wyverns—most of them—but the thought of her flying one herself had never crossed her mind. Not until now. It did seem a little more exciting than having another bath. “I’ll do it,” she nervously agreed.

  “Of course you will!” The man reached his hand out. “The name is Alexander Kingsford, but everyone calls me Ace.”

  “Of course they do.” Sonja gave Alexander’s hand a tight squeeze. “My name’s Sonja Bluwahlt.” Her lips twisted into a cheeky grin. “But my friends call me Queen Super-Awesome Butt-Kicker.”

  “My apologies!” Alexander’s mouth dropped open. “I was unaware I was in the presence of royalty.”

  “I’m not royalty!” Sonja laughed, then tilted her head sideways: the way she did when she thought someone was stupid. “Just pulling your leg.”

  “Of course, I knew that.” He pulled his head and chest away from her, making an odd smile. “I was just playing along.”

  The truth was he didn’t know, and Sonja wouldn’t know either. There were no royal families living so far east, and she doubted that any would visit Aestridge. “Alright Ace,” she said with a nod, “let’s see these wyverns of yours.”

  ***

  Walking out into the freezing exterior of the volcano comforted Sonja. She was used to the bitter cold of the frozen suns, and hiding in the warmth of the volcano just didn’t feel right. It was unnatural, smelt weird, and was drying out the back of her throat.

  Walking back into another tunnel, the air grew considerably warmer once more, and Alexander explained a little more of the operation. “The Altkrugan Wyvern Pilot Academy only comes to Aestridge from time to time, but the staff here can’t get enough of it. They love escaping from their hospitality positions and enjoying the freedom you can only find while soaring through the skies.”

  “Can’t blame them,” Sonja added. “Rubbing people’s backs all day is no way to live. I couldn’t do it.”

  “Who could!” Alexander agreed with Sonja at every opportunity. The entrance to this cave was large, and the charred, rock walls quickly hollowed out into a wide cavern that opened up to the volcano’s interior. “So, I’d like you to meet our wyverns!” He gestured a hand melodramatically into the room.

  “Shit!” Sonja looked around and began counting them in her head. She was cataloging them by size, figuring which ones were juvies, which were alphas, and everything in between. There were a lot of them, too many for her to handle on her own. They were all coloured a mixture of dull oranges through to bright reds—definitely flame wyverns. Some were standing on their hind legs, spreading out the winged membrane attached to their outstretched fore claws. Others seemed to be resting, their wings wrapped around their body and coiled neck.

  “Are you alright?” Alexander gave her a worrying look.

  Sonja’s right hand brushed against her short, curly, blonde hair. Instinct had sent her searching for her sheathed weapon. She forced herself to stop. These were domesticated wyverns, something she had never seen before. “Yeah. Just a little startled.”

  “Were you reaching for that chunk of iron on your back?” Alexander laughed. “These are wyverns, not some wild beasts! They are tame, used to human contact. But if they weren’t, I doubt that sword would help you much!”

  The man was somewhat correct. Blades weren’t really all that effective against flying creatures; not when they could spew forth flaming projectiles. Arrows and bolts were far more efficient. “Ah, of course,” she agreed, trying to count in her head how many wyverns she had finished off with the ‘chunk of iron’ on her back. “What was I thinking?”

  “It shows you have spirit.” Alexander smiled. “I knew this would be perfect for you!”

  He continued walking into the cavern and a short girl raced towards them. She dressed similar to Alexander, with the same silly, brown, leather frap hat and jacket. “Ace,” she said with a smile, revealing a clipboard. “Y-you’ve found a new recruit?”

  “Recruit?” Sonja narrowed her eyes. She’d recently had someone try to ‘conscript’ her for war. It turned out he was a nice fellow in the end, but no foreigner would tell her which battles she had to fight.

  The small girl—barely an adult—looked frightened. “You w-want to ride a wyvern?” Her eyes never made contact with Sonja’s when she spoke. “Y-you’ll have to sign.”

  “Sign?” Sonja grabbed the clipboard and quill. “Do I look like a clerical worker to you?”

  Al
exander laughed, then gave the girl an affectionate pat on the head. “It’s protocol. Don’t worry about it. People think wyvern piloting is unsafe.” He rolled his eyes. “So, we have to make everyone agree to this disclosure. Just put your signature down the bottom and we can move on.”

  “Signature?” Sonja wasn’t stupid, far from it; but where she was from you were either a slayer or a scholar. Sonja was not a scholar.

  “Just scribble some ink down here.” Alexander pointed to a clear spot on the sheet of paper.

  “Easy enough.” She flicked the quill against the paper, probably a few too many times, creating what looked like a piece of abstract art rather than a quick signature. “Done!” Sonja puffed her chest out, handing the clipboard back to the girl.

  “Excellent!” Alexander exclaimed, his eyes stuck to the piece of paper—in awe of her awesome signature no doubt. “Tequidi, introduce her to Raithia. I’ll sort out the harnesses, and we’ll get her airborne in no time.”

  The small girl handed the clipboard to the instructor. “S-so this is your first time p-piloting?” Tequidi questioned.

  Sonja shrugged, keeping a watchful eye on the peaceful wyverns that walked past. They didn’t appear as though they were at home, but comfortable enough to reveal they had been here before. “I’ve ridden a horse,” she said, “does that count?”

  The timid girl giggled, then tried to contain it, not wanting to offend the much larger woman. “I guess so.”

  On one hand, Sonja felt sorry for this girl, Tequidi; she seemed devoid of any confidence whatsoever. On the other hand, she strode among the fire breathers without the slightest hint of fear. “So which one is Raithia?”

  “Raithia, th-the beautiful girl, is up there,” Tequidi pointed to a large wyvern that was nesting at the highest point within the cavern. “A remarkable creature, w-wouldn’t you agree?”

  “She’s big! Is she the alpha?” Sonja didn’t like alphas, she didn’t like juvies either. She had assumed she’d be riding something in between, something—hopefully—predictable.

  “No.” Tequidi began to climb some jagged protrusions that creeped up the cavern wall. It was carved in a way that formed an improvised staircase. “Only Ace pilots Reizexus, it’s best to keep the alphas together.”

  “Seems reasonable.” Sonja couldn’t help wondering what would happen if Ace and Reizexus both disappeared at the same time. Would the wyverns remain peaceful? Or would this whole operation turn to a flaming ball of shit?

  “Raithia,” the small girl called out. “It’s me, Tequidi! I want you to meet a friend of mine, Sonja.”

  The wyvern’s neck curled around towards Tequidi. A dark, slitted pupil narrowed through the yellow of an eye, locking onto Tequidi. The creature’s lips then curled, releasing an affectionate huff. Raithia then turned to Sonja, looking her up and down, studying her.

  “Is this normal?” Sonja felt as though she was being sized up; not with affection, but in the manner of someone appraising a foe.

  “Give her a pat.” Tequidi smiled. “Let her know you want to form a connection.”

  “Alright.” Sonja reached out with her hand, touching the warm, blood-red scales on its cheek. She knew flame wyverns generated heat, but had never felt how ‘warm’ they were. The feeling was definitely much different during the heat of battle.

  “I think she likes you.” The lack of confidence in Tequidi’s voice seemed to disperse around the wyverns.

  Sonja felt warm and fuzzy. “I think so.”

  A low groaning trembled through the ground, and another wyvern rose to its feet beside Raithia. It was much larger than any Sonja had seen, having at least five metres on Raithia. It bumped the female wyvern out of the way and snaked its head towards Sonja. The large wyvern stared into her eyes. It had scratches on its face, and an old scar over one eye. Sonja figured out fast—that unlike the other wyverns here—this one had been in plenty of combat situations. Like Sonja, this thing had ended its fair share of lives.

  “Th-this isn’t normal!” Tequidi’s confidence fell once more. “P-please be nice Reizexus. She’s a friend.”

  Sonja was sure the wyvern could sense the same about her: that she had blood on her hands, that she was a slayer. She put her palms out in front of her peacefully. Unsure if wyverns could understand the words she spoke, she thought she’d try communicating, regardless. “Alpha to alpha,” she whispered quietly so Tequidi couldn’t hear. “I don’t want any trouble, and it would bring neither of us any good if we fought here.”

  Reizexus opened his maw—with smoke billowing from the vents along his spine—then clasped his jaws together, centimetres away from Sonja’s face. Sonja remained completely still, fighting the urge to bury her claymore deep into the wyvern’s skull. They both were presented with the opportunity to easily end the other’s life, but neither took it. Sonja released a sigh, hoping this meant a truce.

  “I-I’ve never seen this happen before.” Tequidi’s face was full of worry. “I-I’m really sorry, it’s my fault.”

  “It’s not your fault.” And it really wasn’t. Sonja was a slayer that was about to pilot the alpha’s mate. Given the circumstance, Reizexus was very well behaved. “Perhaps wyvern piloting is not meant for me?”

  “Nonsense!” Alexander had just finished scrambling up the stairs. He had a metallic A-frame wrapped under his arm. “Can’t chicken out now; it’s almost time to fly!”

  Sonja swallowed hard, scratching the back of her oesophagus. The volcanic environment had sucked the moisture from her sinuses, leaving her dry. “I have a bad feeling about this,” she croaked.

  “You’re just getting the jitters.” Alexander began attaching the frame to Reizexus’ chest, while one of his assistants attached another to Raithia’s. “This is perfectly normal when someone is about to break out of their comfort zone.”

  “You have no idea,” she mumbled, realising Reizexus was still glaring intently at her. “Are you sure this is safe for someone as heavy as me?” Sonja searched for any excuse that may get her out of this predicament.

  “I don’t think you’d weigh all that much!” Alexander gave her a cheeky grin. “Don’t worry, you’ll be piloting Raithia. She’s a tough old girl; would be able to carry your whole family!”

  Sonja thought of her brother, Kallum, for a moment. He would go crazy at the thought of piloting a wyvern. Definitely a good story to share with him when she got home.

  “D-don’t worry.” Tequidi almost allowed her eyes to meet with Sonja’s, they stopped short at her chest. “Y-you’ll enjoy it. I p-promise!”

  “Frame attached?” Alexander looked to the assistant attaching the A-frame and tack to Raithia.

  “All good to go,” he confirmed with a nod.

  “Fantastic! Double check the harnesses while I go over controls and safety with Sonja.” Alexander watched another assistant—a rather chubby and unfit one at that—place two packs down by Sonja. He then continued towards the wyverns, carrying what appeared to be a couple of insulated sacks.

  Once the chubby assistant was out of earshot, Sonja said, “I see you run quite a tight fitness regime.”

  Alexander glanced at the not-so-fit man. “He’s a volunteer, helps out on his days off. He’s also one of the best chefs I’ve had the pleasure to get to know. If you could cook like him, you’d have considerable girth yourself!”

  Sonja rolled her eyes. “So, controls? Safety?”

  “We’ll climb into those sacks that my assistants are attaching now.” Alexander pointed to the wyvern’s harness system. The sack was being attached to an upside down ‘A’ that clung to the creatures chest. Material, strapped around the winged fore-limbs, fixed the metal frame to the wyvern’s body. “It’ll hold you safely in place, nice and tight. But, just in the case of a bad scenario, we have these.” He picked up the packs that the chubby assistant had dropped off.

  “Bad scenario?”

  “It’s just a precaution. Nothing bad has ever happened.”

  So
nja sighed loudly, raising an eyebrow.

  “Look, everything will be fine,” Alexander said. He then shook the pack, returning Sonja’s attention to the task at hand. “Just place your legs through these straps.” He stepped through a couple of loops. “Arms through here.” He slid the pack up over his back, then placed his arms through like a backpack. “Then, tighten this strap.” After feeding fabric through a buckle over his chest, he tightened it up.

  “Alright.” Sonja unbuckled the strap that held her claymore’s sheath tightly to her back. “Guess I can’t take this then?”

  “No, sorry.” Alexander shook his head. “Policy doesn’t allow students to take weapons on training flights.” He turned to his short female assistant. “Put Sonja’s weapon with the supplies when we depart. Make sure she picks it up after her flight.”

  “Y-yes.” Tequidi grabbed the sheathed blade, almost dropping it due to the sheer weight. She nervously let it drop to the ground, doing her best to slow its fall.

  “Get the boys to help you with it.” Sonja gave the nervous girl a smile. She then copied how Alexander climbed into the pack—taking considerably longer—and almost falling over a few times. It was a rather awkward thing to climb in to.

  “Now, you most likely won’t be using it.” Alexander raised an eyebrow. “But, if for some reason your wyvern becomes unable to fly, this will be your backup plan. Pull yourself from the piloting sack, clear yourself from the wyvern, then…” He turned to the side, and reached for a little, leather ball at the butt of the pack. “Then pull this out and throw it away from you. A cloth wing will be pulled from your pack and offer you a safe descent.”

  “Shit!” Sonja’s confidence did not increase with those words! “How often does that happen?”

  “It doesn’t,” Alexander said in a monotone voice, like he had said it one too many times. “It’s only a precaution. If you do need to use it though, just make sure you are well clear of Raithia before deploying the cloth wing. We’ll keep constant communication while we are flying. If at any point things seem unsafe, we will return back here immediately.”